Lack of rains, low water levels in dams resulting in power cuts in Kerala: Electricity Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 16 (PTI) As power cuts increase in the state, Kerala Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph on Thursday said that lack of rains coupled with low water level in dams were resulting in less power generation while the demand increases due to the rising temperatures. This situation was not confined to Kerala and was present across India, Joseph claimed. In addition to that, the state was also obligated to return the power it had borrowed in March-April this year, and therefore, the power cuts were liable to continue for now as the government looks for solutions to the problem, the minister told a TV channel. Besides that, there are also central restrictions on the state based on its consumption and is beyond Kerala's control, he said. One of the solutions being explored by the government is setting up battery storage units to store the solar power generated during the daytime, he said, but added that it will take time to set them up. He said that the government was planning to set up such units in six places in the state and steps are being taken to expedite the process. The minister said that the proposed Cheemeni nuclear power station in Kasaragod can be considered after discussions with all stakeholders as implementing it in a safe manner will be highly beneficial for the state. "It requires a lot of studies and a joint stand by everyone," he added. Joseph also rejected reports and allegations that power cuts have increased under the new government as there were hardly any such restrictions when the LDF was in power during the last 10 years. He claimed that there were power cuts in April and May this year before the new government took charge, and they stopped when it rained. PTI HMP ADB